5 One Book, One Chicago Flashbacks: Watch and Listen to Great Conversations

We've had a lot of great conversations over the years through One Book, One Chicago. Since 2001, we've explored over 20 different books through our book clubs, events and programming—maybe you've read some of them with us? Everyone seems to have an opinion on what their favorite and least favorite One Book selection has been, but no matter which ones you loved the most, the one thing we all love is a great conversation! We've been lucky enough to bring many authors to discuss these books over the years. Here are a few of our favorite conversations. You can watch or listen to these conversations free on the web.

Local legend and subject of our 2017-2018 selection I'll Take You There, Mavis Staples joined author Greg Kot to discuss his book, her life and the legacy of her family's singing group. Our partners at CAN-TV recorded the video A Conversation with Greg Kot and Mavis Staples.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert, author of our 2019-2020 selection The Sixth Extinction, joined Booklist's Donna Seaman for a conversation about humanity's impact on the earth, climate change and what actions we should be thinking about. CAN-TV recorded the video The Sixth Extinction: Conversation.

Neil Gaiman, author of our spring 2011 selection Neverwhere joined Chicago author Audrey Niffenegger for a conversation about imagination and creativity. WBEZ recorded the conversation Neil Gaiman and Audrey Niffenegger.

Tom Wolfe joined Chicago journalist Carol Marin to discuss his book The Right Stuff, our fall 2008 selection, and his legendary career as a journalist and novelist. WBEZ recorded the conversation Tom Wolfe in Conversation with Carol Marin.

Carl Smith, author of the fall 2009 selection The Plan of Chicago, joined Nichole Pinkard, director of innovation at the University of Chicago's Urban Education Institute; architects Sarah Dunn and Martin Felsen of UrbanLab and Archeworks; and Angela Hurlock, director of Claretian Associates, developers of green and affordable housing on Chicago's Southeast Side, for a conversation moderated by MarySue Barrett, president of the Metropolitan Planning Council. WBEZ recorded the conversation Chicago Visionaries: From Burnham to Today and Beyond.

Thanks to our partners at CAN-TV and WBEZ for documenting these great One Book, One Chicago conversations!